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Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

Depression Community

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Hello

Linda Q

2024-04-11 5:06 AM

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Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

Managing Drinking Community

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13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
still drinking but have had some success

Clarence,
     I had the same issue. After a period of abstinence, I will get restless irritable and discontent and for a silly reason I would start drinking and the obsession would return combined with the physical craving will be stuck in the vicious cycle. After reading the book called Alcoholics Anonymous, i came to realize i am an alcoholic that I need to have spiritual solution. And today I rely on the program of AA to stay sober.
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Quote for the day

I don't want to "conquer" anything.... I just want some peace.

if you get a chance google "power of now" PDF and start reading it. Eckhart Tolle talks about the inner chatter within us. Once we start observing the inner chatter, we tap into our inner strength and we will find peace. We need to go beyond our mind for peace.
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Quote for the day

when you surrender to the fact that we are powerless over alcohol and quit for good.
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
How do I stay motivated?

Here is a snippet from the book called AA. see if your experience fits one of these categories:

There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather than continue to fight.

The classification of alcoholics seems most difficult, and in much detail is outside the scope of this book. There are, of course, the psychopaths who are emotionally unstable. We are all familiar with this type. They are always "going on the wagon for keeps." They are over-remorseful and make many resolutions, but never a decision.

There is the type of man who is unwilling to admit that he cannot take a drink. He plans various ways of drinking. He changes his brand or his environment. There is the type who always believes that after being entirely free from alcohol for a period of time he can take a drink without danger. There is the manic-depressive type, who is, perhaps, the least understood by his friends, and about whom a whole chapter could be written.

Then there are types entirely normal in every respect except in the effect alcohol has upon them. They are often able, intelligent, friendly people.

All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence.

13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
On my second day

try to get a sponsor who can walk you through the 12 steps of AA and not one who just insist on you going to meetings all the time.
 
working the 12 steps will result in what Dr. Silkworth calls a psycic change and that is what we alcoholics need.
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Moderate Drinking vs. Abstinence

i am an alcoholic. so moderating the amount is out of equation. Because, i have a physical phenomenon called Craving, which is the moment i put 1 drink i am off to the races.

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Here is some of excerpts from the book called Alcoholics Anonymous:

We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals usually brief were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.

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After quitting hard liquor in early 90s, i started on Beer on Fridays strategy late 1998 but it just gained momentum and by 2002 i was drinking every day.......
Only working the steps of AA, i could stay stopped last 4 years.
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Moderate Drinking vs. Abstinence

Preamble of AA states that we ought to share our own experience, strength and hope. So, if i try to follow that principle everywhere. For a drunk like me all i can understand is the Obsessive thoughts that goes through an alcoholic prior to picking the 1st drink and then once an alcoholic succumbs to that urge, no can stop him. And i can also understand the irritability, restlessness, discontented and anxious feeling when at a place where i can't drink.... 
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
OK It?s now or never

i wonder if 'women in sobriety' have something similar to an AA Hotline, where you could call and talk to women in sobriety and have them come and talk to you one on one basis, rather than you going and facing the whole group? Thats what happens in a 12 step call. Usually couple of women/men depending on who calls in, visit the person who is looking for help. And after the initial rendezvous they introduce the person to the whole group.  
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Cold turkey or ween?

i am alcoholic. i could never ween off alcohol. Cos moment i put one drink, craving would kick in and i would get drunk. Total abstinence was the only solution. I stay stopped working the 12 steps of AA every moment. 
13 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I am drunk.

There is something called the 'mental obsession'. when it comes to alcohol, an alcoholic is weak willed. so, don't be hard on yourself. you will have to at some point make a decision to quit completely and then see spiritual help. For an alcoholic, the only solution is to have a spiritual awakening (a psychic change) so we can look at the world with a different out-look. and live on life terms.